2018-2019 The Commonwealth Medical College

[gyngyn]

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1. Given Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s unique mission and values, please tell us why you feel you are a good fit for our institution. (1500 char)


2. List the five most important attributes you feel a physician should possess. Please choose one that you feel you embody and describe a personal experience that demonstrates this trait. (1500 char)


4. Geisinger Commonwealth values diversity and is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment. How do you think you can contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion? (1500 char)


5. If you have previously applied to Geisinger Commonwealth’s Doctor of Medicine program, please describe your significant experiences between this year’s application and your previous application. If you are not a previous applicant, please type, “N/A” in the response area. (1500 char)



Interview Feedback: The Commonwealth Medical College

 

[700458]

Secondary received and the prompts are similar to last year, but the "five most important traits" question is condensed.
Also note that this school is now called the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine! @gyngyn


1. Given Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine’s unique mission and values, please tell us why you feel you are a good fit for our institution. (1500 char)


2. List the five most important attributes you feel a physician should possess. Please choose one that you feel you embody and describe a personal experience that demonstrates this trait. (1500 char)


4. Geisinger Commonwealth values diversity and is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment. How do you think you can contribute to our commitment to diversity and inclusion? (1500 char)


5. If you have previously applied to Geisinger Commonwealth’s Doctor of Medicine program, please describe your significant experiences between this year’s application and your previous application. If you are not a previous applicant, please type, “N/A” in the response area. (1500 char)

 

[Mr. Peanutbutter]

Secondary Received!

 

[ayebaebae]

Secondary Received!

+1

 

[Dr.Lady123]

Secondary Received!

+1

 

[Eagleye2]

i see the question says "list 5 attributes" are you guys literally just listing them or stating one and then explaining it in a sentence or two

 

[deleted787552]

i see the question says "list 5 attributes" are you guys literally just listing them or stating one and then explaining it in a sentence or two

Lol it's 1500 characters, that's not enough room to write anything. I would list them all then pick one to semi explain

 

[Eagleye2]

Lol it's 1500 characters, that's not enough room to write anything. I would list them all then pick one to semi explain

yeah I didn’t realize how small 1500 characters was until I started writing lol

 

[liutimot]

Following

 

[maggracers]

Anyone else not have all of their letters of recommendation show up on the secondary application website?

 

[Eagleye2]

how did you guys abbreviate the school name. with 1500 characters, i cant be saying the full name two or three times.

 

[stairway2seven]

Anyone else not have all of their letters of recommendation show up on the secondary application website?

yah only 2 of mine have been processed so even though I submitted, my secondary is marked incomplete.

I called them and they said they process LORs every night so just keep checking and they should appear eventually

 

[ayebaebae]

Question: The question about being a reapplicant to GCSOM, if I have not applied specifically to GCSOM but am a reapplicant overall should I write about the improvements I have made to my application between the application cycles or just leave it blank?

 

[deleted787552]

Question: The question about being a reapplicant to GCSOM, if I have not applied specifically to GCSOM but am a reapplicant overall should I write about the improvements I have made to my application between the application cycles or just leave it blank?

I think it's school specific. Wouldn't answer it unless you're reapplying to this school

 

[deleted787552]

anyone know the faculty to student ratio here?

 

[Kiwi95]

To those of you that submitted your secondary a while ago, I was finally marked complete at the school today. Also, @gyngyn I would add "Geisinger" in the title as I'm sure a lot of people will search that and might get confused when it doesn't show up

 

[Curiousfuturedoc]

This may be really dumb, but can I abbreviate it to GCSOM when referring to it in my secondary essays?

 

[deleted787552]

This may be really dumb, but can I abbreviate it to GCSOM when referring to it in my secondary essays?

I did that too so I guess we'll see

 

[Kiwi95]

Anyone else's status on the status page now showing "under review"? I don't remember if it always said that or just switched!

Mine just says my application is complete and ready, but nothing about being under review. When did you submit?

 

[NinjasAtMyDoor]

Does anyone now how early in August Commonwealth starts sending out IIs?

 

[700458]

Does anyone now how early in August Commonwealth starts sending out IIs?

last year it was 8/8!

 

[MOrdinary]

Does anyone know if there's a place to include connections to Pennsylvania/ will they consider it? I lived in rural central PA as a kid but moved away several years ago. Just wondering if it would help to mention it in my secondary.

 

[deleted787552]

Does anyone know if there's a place to include connections to Pennsylvania/ will they consider it? I lived in rural central PA as a kid but moved away several years ago. Just wondering if it would help to mention it in my secondary.

I didn't see one, but I would throw it in in another essay

 

[Curiousfuturedoc]

What would the area be considered? Is it rural or more city like?

 

[NinjasAtMyDoor]

What would the area be considered? Is it rural or more city like?

It's in Scranton (the city from The Office). It's a decent size city: ~500K people.

 

[monkeypen]

What would the area be considered? Is it rural or more city like?

Hi! I'm a graduate from here. While Scranton itself is a "city" you will most likely end up rotating in rural areas at some point. You'll spend the 1st 2 years in Scranton, but could end up in Sayre, PA or Danville, PA for rotations (or other places listed on the website like Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, Atlantic City, etc.) but those two are pretty rural areas. It gives you a pretty unique perspective with Amish patients and individuals who are definitely healthcare refugees, but it is by no means a big city anywhere in the area, really. Though you are only about a 2 hour drive from from NYC or Philly for a fun weekend trip. Hope that helps! 🙂

 

[sillymoi]

when does this school start sending out interview invites?

 

[700458]

when does this school start sending out interview invites?

last year it was 8/8 but it may be earlier, from what I can tell this cycle is going faster than usual!

 

[sillymoi]

last year it was 8/8 but it may be earlier, from what I can tell this cycle is going faster than usual!

did they already send out II?

 

[Dr.Lady123]

Has anyone gotten a complete/under review email? My status says application ready with a green check but I haven't heard anything since the receipt from my submission.

 

[Mouzer]

Has anyone gotten a complete/under review email? My status says application ready with a green check but I haven't heard anything since the receipt from my submission.

I got a complete email about ten days after I submitted my secondary.

 

[FutureMD96]

Hi all, so I am kind of freaking out...I submitted my secondary on 7/03. I am a FAP recipient and I just went to check my status and there is a red exclamation point next to "submit application" but below it there is a red message saying "Supplemental Application has been successfully submitted." Anyone else have this problem?

Edit: Note this problem is in the "supplemental application" section not the "status" section

 

[Jmh509]

Hi all, so I am kind of freaking out...I submitted my secondary on 7/03. I am a FAP recipient and I just went to check my status and there is a red exclamation point next to "submit application" but below it there is a red message saying "Supplemental Application has been successfully submitted." Anyone else have this problem?

Edit: Note this problem is in the "supplemental application" section not the "status" section

Yeah I have the same issue. My status says everything is complete but on the supplemental it has the red exclamation point. I’m not a FAP recipient though. I’m not sure if I should worry about it or not

 

[scribbles&rambles]

Hi all, so I am kind of freaking out...I submitted my secondary on 7/03. I am a FAP recipient and I just went to check my status and there is a red exclamation point next to "submit application" but below it there is a red message saying "Supplemental Application has been successfully submitted." Anyone else have this problem?

Edit: Note this problem is in the "supplemental application" section not the "status" section

I'm also a FAP recipient, submitted secondary 7/26. I just checked and I don't seem to have this issue: I have a green checkmark next to "Submit Application" and the red message about the supplement being successfully submitted. That said, I'm not marked "Complete" because my committee doesn't send out letters until mid-August, so that might be why I'm not getting the error?

There might be some technical issues with the system; maybe call if the problem isn't resolved tomorrow?

 

[FutureMD96]

I am going to give a call tomorrow, unless there is an Adcom on this thread who might be able to shed light on the situation?

 

[Hopefulmedmatriculant]

Yeah I have the same issue. My status says everything is complete but on the supplemental it has the red exclamation point. I’m not a FAP recipient though. I’m not sure if I should worry about it or not

+1

 

[Curiousfuturedoc]

II today! IS 502 MCAT

 

[frankie75]

II today! IS 502 MCAT

Congratulations! When was your app complete?

 

[Curiousfuturedoc]

Congratulations! When was your app complete?

I submitted it on 7/17, not sure how to see when it was offically completed/under review by them

 

[Orangecat1234]

II, IS, 512/ 3.9

 

[Jmh509]

II today as well!!

 

[HockeyGuy2772]

Ill add another sample to the group. Received II today (IS)! I don't believe that I ever got a "complete" email but I submitted on 7/6 and all of my information was in at that time so I'm sure it was complete soon there after.

 

[Jmh509]

II today as well!!

I’m OOS, 3.76/517 btw. I never got a complete email but I submitted on 7/4

 

[Atheene]

II this morning!! In state, Lizzy M score of 70 (518 mcat, 3.44 gpa), submitted 7/7

 

[Curiousfuturedoc]

Is there a way to switch to early decision? I already am offered an interview (9/7), so I am within the limit of needing stuff in by August 1st- I just didn’t have ED on my amcas app

 

[NinjasAtMyDoor]

Is there a way to switch to early decision? I already am offered an interview (9/7), so I am within the limit of needing stuff in by August 1st- I just didn’t have ED on my amcas app

No, for ED you can only apply to one school. At this point, the deadline for that has already past.

 

[Curiousfuturedoc]

No, for ED you can only apply to one school. At this point, the deadline for that has already past.

Ok thanks! I didn’t do any ED so wasn’t sure thanks!!

 

[premed0431]

Is there a screening for this application because in their website it says "All AMCAS verified applicants will automatically receive a secondary application." but I havent received one at all.

 

[MacBee]

Is there a screening for this application because in their website it says "All AMCAS verified applicants will automatically receive a secondary application." but I havent received one at all.

I don't think they do. How long ago were you verified? I got mine two days afterwards.

 

[premed0431]

I got verified 8/1